Accident Recovery Stories | Myomo

Sara Groves – Brachial Plexus Injury

curtschulz — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 18:19:35 +0000

In May 2015, Sara was riding her motorcycle at night when suddenly another vehicle hit her as she approached an intersection near her home in Phoenix, Arizona. This awful accident was a hit-and-run that left Sara with 26 fractures, a shattered clavicle, and a brachial plexus injury.

After the accident, Sara spent a week in the ICU, then two weeks in observation, followed by more time in a nursing facility. Despite all of the care she received after the accident, she still could not move her arm.

At first, Sara’s physician claimed, “there is nothing modern medicine can do to fix your arm.” However, Sara knew she had to do something because hopelessness was not an option for her.

As a guitar player and a hairdresser, Sara needed to be able to move her arm. Being a guitar player and a hairdresser was a part of her identity and not being able to do those activities had a profound and negative impact on her mental health. She was not ready to give up, so she took matters into her own hands and switched doctors. She underwent nerve graft surgeries, muscle transfers and finally heard about the MyoPro powered arm brace through a friend.

She initially tried a MyoPro at Limb Lab, and her response after seeing the device work on her for the first time “you’ve got to be kidding me, I NEED this right now!”

After receiving the device, her mental health drastically improved. Sara truly believes that MyoPro is just as much of a confidence boost as it is a device to help with arm function. She loves the aesthetic of the MyoPro. “I feel cool wearing it” she said.

Sara is finding creative ways to play the guitar with her MyoPro. With some practice and some 3-D printed device attachments to hold a pick, Sara can now use her MyoPro to strum a guitar.

On top of it all, Sara has started a new hobby as a content creator on TikTok, where she posts videos of herself using her MyoPro. Her biggest goal is to share her experiences with overcoming the adversity that comes with a hit-and-run accident and a paralyzed arm. She hopes to inspire others in similar situations to continue to search for solutions. For Sara, the solution was MyoPro.

The post Sara Groves – Brachial Plexus Injury appeared first on Myomo.

Ten Years after ATV Accident He Found the MyoPro

curtschulz — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 16:30:03 +0000

College bound 18-year-old starts to regain arm function after a brachial plexus injury.

On June 6, 2008, 8-year-old, Zeke was involved in an ATV accident where he hit a tree. He was care flighted to Dayton Children’s Hospital where they discovered that he suffered a brain injury, a spinal cord injury, and a brachial plexus injury. Zeke received a lot of therapy and had to learn how to do everything again with one functional arm.

After some time at Dayton Children’s hospital, Zeke underwent surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with the goal of increasing function and feeling in his arm. First, they took a nerve out of his right shoulder and placed it in his left shoulder, then they took a muscle and a nerve out of his thigh and placed it in his bicep. Unfortunately, after the surgery, Zeke did not experience much progress.

At first, it was difficult for Zeke to go back to school and watch his peers participate in physical activities without struggle. However, Zeke refused to let his injury define him. He has an incredible outlook on life and always tried until he failed. He challenged himself to do the same activities a two-arm kid could do, even though he couldn’t quite do everything at the same level.

Now Zeke is 18 years old and he took the initiative to find a solution for his brachial plexus injury. One night, when he was feeling down about his arm, Zeke decided to do a Google search on brachial plexus injuries. That’s when he found out about the MyoPro. He reached out to Myomo and he quickly received a response to set up an appointment to try the MyoPro.

“The first time I tried the device on…it was crazy! Putting the device on and watching my fingers move and watching my arm bend for the first time in 10 years…I couldn’t even picture it. It was new to me! The whole time they were talking to me and explaining the device, I just couldn’t listen because all I wanted to do was bend my fingers and bend my arm as much as I could before I left,” Zeke explained.

Zeke has been using his MyoPro for over a month now, and he’s already seen results. He notices that he holds his shoulders better and that he uses his left arm more than he ever did before. He encourages everyone in a similar situation to never give up. There is always an answer out there, and for Zeke, the answer is the MyoPro.

Zeke plans on working with his brother this summer and then he is off to college in the fall. He is thrilled because he believes that his MyoPro will help him do all of the above.

The post Ten Years after ATV Accident He Found the MyoPro appeared first on Myomo.

From Motorcycle Accident Despair to Daily Function

curtschulz — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 15:51:06 +0000

A motorcycle accident left Carrie with few good choices. Then a physician at Mayo Clinic recommended MyoPro.

Three years ago, 51-year old Carrie was thrown from her motorcycle, leaving her with multiple compound fractures, a dislocated shoulder and elbow and a serious brachial plexus injury. She spent a week in intensive care, then six months completely bed-ridden. After other parts of her body had recovered, she was left with a lifeless arm and hand.

Carrie was referred to Mayo Clinic, where she underwent extensive testing and evaluation – a complete neurological workup. She was presented with depressing options: surgery, which may or may not help a bit, and amputation. Carrie’s response: “I was completely overwhelmed by the news”.

Carrie had the surgery, which indeed helped a bit, but still left her without real function. Then her surgeon recommended MyoPro to restore function and aid in rehabilitation. Three months ago, she was fitted with the device.

Now, Carrie dons the device first thing in the morning. She wears it all day, and with it, she can do many of the activities of daily living that require two arms and hands: lifting and carrying household items, stabilizing food while cutting it, holding bottles while removing their tops. Carrie continues with occupational therapy, twice a week.

Not only has MyoPro helped restore function, Carrie says, “I feel like having the MyoPro has not only helped me physically by strengthening my arm, it has also helped to give me my independence back. I am looking forward to much more progress.”

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